Manager - Innovations job at MTN-Uganda

Job Description

Job Title: Manager – Innovations

Reporting to: Senior Manager – Products Development & Innovations

Division – Products & Services

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job

Responsible for executing MTN MoMo’s product roadmap by driving new service innovations, leading structured ideation, managing the full product lifecycle, and cultivating a sustainable partner ecosystem. This is a high-execution position designed to power the tactical “engine” of the innovation pipeline, ensuring MTN MoMo evolves into a one-stop digital financial hub that accelerates financial inclusion and customer value creation.

Responsibilities

Main Job Functions:

1. Innovation Ideation & Research

Structured Ideation: Lead design thinking workshops and innovation sprints to generate high-potential concepts, with a focus on savings, loans, and payments enablement tools.

Market Gap Analysis: Continuously assess the Ugandan fintech landscape to identify underserved segments such as rural agriculture, lifestyle payments, and SME solutions, translating insights into actionable opportunities.

Concept Validation: Develop robust business cases and feasibility studies to evaluate new service concepts within the MoMo ecosystem.

2. Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

Agile Development: Drive rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration of digital services within cross-functional squads.

Optimization & Rationalization: Analyze product performance metrics (e.g., ARPU, active base) to refine user journeys, enhance UI/UX, and decommission underperforming offerings.

End-to-End Execution: Own the Go-to-Market process for assigned features, from drafting business requirements (BRDs) to post-launch monitoring and continuous improvement.

3. Ecosystem Development & Partnership Integration

API Integration: Collaborate with MTN Technology and business teams and external developers to onboard third-party applications into the MoMo platform.

Strategic Partnerships: Forge collaborations with banks, government agencies, and innovation hubs to enable cross-platform transactions and expand financial inclusion.

Merchant Empowerment: Design and deploy digital tools that strengthen SME capabilities and enhance MoMo adoption.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Innovation Pipeline: Number of ideas successfully transitioned from ideation to pilot phase.

Ecosystem Depth: Growth in active third-party integrations and applications within MoMo.

Lifecycle Efficiency: Reduction in time-to-market for new features and updates.

Financial Inclusion Impact: Increase in active users of non-transfer services (e.g., MoMo School Fees, MoMo Loans).

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Business, or Software Engineering

Experience:

At least 5 years in product management or innovation roles, ideally within fintech, telecoms, or technology startups

Strong proficiency in Agile/Scrum methodologies, experience with API marketplaces, and deep knowledge of mobile financial service (MFS) platforms

A forward-looking “Techco” orientation, focused on building value-added platforms beyond connectivity.

Skills

Risk, Compliance & Audit Readiness

Delivery focus and continuous improvement mindset

NB: Presentation of false academic documents and certification will lead to criminal prosecution. Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification. Should you not hear from us within fourteen (14) days from the closing date of this advertisement, you may consider your application to be unsuccessful.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Lead design thinking workshops and innovation sprints to generate high-potential concepts, with a focus on savings, loans, and payments enablement tools.
• Continuously assess the Ugandan fintech landscape to identify underserved segments such as rural agriculture, lifestyle payments, and SME solutions, translating insights into actionable opportunities.
• Develop robust business cases and feasibility studies to evaluate new service concepts within the MoMo ecosystem.
• Drive rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration of digital services within cross-functional squads.
• Analyze product performance metrics (e.g., ARPU, active base) to refine user journeys, enhance UI/UX, and decommission underperforming offerings.
• Own the Go-to-Market process for assigned features, from drafting business requirements (BRDs) to post-launch monitoring and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with MTN Technology and business teams and external developers to onboard third-party applications into the MoMo platform.
• Forge collaborations with banks, government agencies, and innovation hubs to enable cross-platform transactions and expand financial inclusion.
• Design and deploy digital tools that strengthen SME capabilities and enhance MoMo adoption.

• Risk, Compliance & Audit Readiness
• Delivery focus and continuous improvement mindset
• Agile/Scrum methodologies
• API marketplaces
• Mobile financial service (MFS) platforms

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Business, or Software Engineering
• At least 5 years in product management or innovation roles, ideally within fintech, telecoms, or technology startups
• Strong proficiency in Agile/Scrum methodologies, experience with API marketplaces, and deep knowledge of mobile financial service (MFS) platforms
• A forward-looking “Techco” orientation, focused on building value-added platforms beyond connectivity.